Castel Sant'Elmo
was built in 1329 by order of Charles of Anjou on the hill of Sant'Erasmo, now S. Martino, to dominate the roads
that conducted in the city. Castel Sant'Elmo is a majestic, six-point
star-shaped building. It is surrounded by ramparts and forts and stands over
the city: there is a spectacular view from its terraces. The castle houses art
and history exhibitions, hosts the Molaioli Library of Art and a videotheque
which supplies information about all of the city's monuments. The complex also
contains the 16th century and the 17th
Century Chapel of Santa Maria del Pilar.
Catacomba di San
Gennaro
Dating from the
2nd century, these catacombs are quite different from Rome's dark, claustrophobic
mazes. Here, one will find a mix of tombs, corridors and broad vestibules held
up by columns and arches and decorated with early Christian frescoes and
mosaics, now much dilapidated. Tradition has it that San Gennaro was originally
buried here.
Visiting Naples
Naples’ airport is the main airport for Southern Italy. The city is also
accessible with the rest of Italy and by rail and road. Boats
and hydrofoils leave for Capri, Sorrento, Ischia, Procida and Forio from
Molo Beverello in front of the Castel Nuovo. Longer distance ferries leave from
the Stazione Marittima. Naples has an extensive bus and
tram mass transit system.